IBYSDW 08

Chapter 8

“Oh my. And why is that?”

A glimmer of curiosity appeared in Rike’s eyes.

I answered meaningfully,
“To be honest, I like handsome men.”

“Oh!”

“I once met a really handsome man, and ever since then, my heart just doesn’t race unless the guy is good-looking. What a useless heart.”

Blaming my poor heart, I shook my head.

There was no way I could ignore Hernan’s incredible face—the one my heart reacted to so strongly.

“And then, just in time! When I saw Prince Hernan up close, he was so handsome. My hand just moved on its own.”

My hands are faster than my eyes.

When I finished speaking, Rike giggled. Then, as if something had just clicked, she clapped her hands like a seal.

“Ah! I know who you’re talking about.”

“Who?”

“That handsome man from before!”

“…What?”

“The captain of the royal guard—Sir Handsome, right? You used to talk about how good-looking he was.”

“…What?”

That was unexpected.

The man I had been talking about was someone I met before I possessed Rinzel.

Did the real Rinzel also meet a handsome man?

The original novel didn’t go into detail about Rinzel, who was just a side character.
After all, <Since I’m Terminally Ill, Don’t Love Me> was a story about Rike and Ishar.

But something even stranger stood out.

I couldn’t remember the face or name of the man I had met before possessing Rinzel.

The feeling of admiration I had whenever I looked at him was still there, but I couldn’t recall anything about him.

Not even his voice.

On the other hand, the “Sir Handsome” that Rike mentioned came to mind vividly.

The swordsmanship befitting a captain of the royal guard.
Golden curly hair.
Beautiful golden eyes that looked at me.

The reason I broke up with him was his womanizing.

Huh…?

Was it because Rinzel’s memories had seeped into me that I could remember him so clearly?

Come to think of it… my real parents, siblings, friends… all of them had become vague.

It had only been about ten days since I possessed Rinzel.

Had I really forgotten everything in just that short time?

The only memories from before possession that remained clear were the contents of this novel.

Errors in memory. Bias in information.

I frowned slightly.

Something was definitely wrong.

“…Rinzel, I’m sorry. I won’t bring up your ex anymore.”

Rike seemed to think I frowned because of the story about “Sir Handsome.”

I smiled in response.

“It’s fine! I really don’t mind. Anyway, the point is—I like Prince Hernan.”

“That’s a relief.”

Rike’s face also carried a faint smile.

“What is?”

“That you’re not upset because of me. And that you don’t hate the marriage you’re doing in my place.”

I spoke gently, as if comforting her.

“You’re pretty, Rike, so you’re forgiven no matter what you do. I’m generous to people who are pretty or handsome. Though that doesn’t mean I only care about looks.”

“Yeah. I know.”

Rike stood up from across the table.

She walked over and hugged me. From up close, she smelled nice.

“You know we look a lot alike, right? I think you just subtly said my face is pretty too.”

It was obvious—twin sisters look alike.

I gently patted her slender back and replied,

“You caught me. I tried to say it without making it obvious.”

“Whatever it is, don’t hide anything from me. If you do, I’d feel really hurt.”

“Okay. I won’t.”

Then I added, almost like a vow,

“I’ll make sure you never feel hurt.”

“Okay.”

But Rike…

I can’t possibly tell you that I’m not the real Rinzel.

That truth lingered bitterly in my mouth.

Suddenly, I wondered where the real Rinzel’s soul had gone.

Rinzel… where are you?

* * *

The reason Hernan had to return to the imperial palace was because he had a dinner appointment with his family.

In the grand dining hall of the palace, a large table that could seat twenty people was filled with various dishes.

Meat dishes, vegetable dishes, even cuisine from the western regions… just looking at them made one’s mouth water.

Four people sat around the table.

Delta, the emperor of the Claremont Empire.
Angel, the empress.
The first prince, Ishar.
And the second prince, Hernan.

The third prince, Ilya, was absent.

Ilya avoided meals so persistently that even the emperor and empress had given up on him.

In the quiet dining hall, filled only with the sounds of cutlery and chewing, it was Delta who spoke first.

“Hernan. I hear you’ve been visiting the Duke of Valencia’s house often these days.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Is it because of the woman who will become your bride?”

Delta took great interest in his sons.

Not just their appearances, but their personalities were all different—it made observing them quite entertaining.

Recently, the most interesting news to him was “Hernan’s outings.”

Hernan rarely left his place unless it was related to war or weaponry.

Yet he had visited the Valencia estate repeatedly.

He had even paid attention to his clothes.

It was like the sun rising in the west.

Delta’s gaze drifted to Hernan’s outfit.

Hernan was wearing a V-neck top—something that revealed his collarbones.

It was the first time Delta had ever seen him dressed like that.

Hernan usually wore armor or uniforms that covered him completely.

Even more surprising was that all of this was because of one of the twin daughters of the Valencia family.

That was what Gakt had reported.

Delta found it hard to believe without hearing it directly from Hernan.

Hernan quietly set down his utensils and replied,

“Yes, that’s right.”

“And what does that young lady think of you?”

Hernan answered without hesitation.

“She seems to like me very much. Not that I’m bragging… but she said she fell in love with me at first sight.”

There were two reactions to his confession.

First—

“Oh. What a peculiar young lady. To fall in love with you at first sight.”

Delta’s amused response.

Second—

“Pfft!”

The empress Angel and Ishar made strange noises, clearly surprised.

Hernan frowned deeply and stared at Delta.

Just as he sometimes did with Ishar, he was silently cursing his father with his eyes.

Is that something you say to your son?

Delta chuckled.

“Hahaha. You resemble me in your good looks, but unlike me, you’re quite the innocent fool.”

It was an accurate statement—one Hernan couldn’t refute.

Even the palace mice knew he was inexperienced.

Hernan’s frown deepened.

“Anyway, she does like me.”

Rinzel clearly liked him.

Hadn’t she said so today?

‘Do you… like me?’
‘Of course. I like you very much.’
‘Could you say it again?’
‘I really like you.’

Her voice echoed in his ears.

At the same time, the tips of his ears turned red.

He hadn’t known hearing someone say they liked him could feel so good—until her.

She had even said that being with him felt like being in heaven.

“Heaven… what a fine expression.”

When she smiled shyly, his heart felt ticklish.

He didn’t dislike that feeling.

It was far better than the tension he felt on blood-soaked battlefields.

Was she resting well?

He suddenly found himself wondering about her.

Delta’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

“So, what did you do with her today?”

Hernan recalled their time together.

“We took a walk and talked.”

“And?”

“…She touched my face.”

“My, your face?”

Hernan slowly nodded.

“She said she liked my face. That being with me felt like being in heaven.”

At those words, Delta’s eyes narrowed.

He knew better than anyone how exceptional Hernan’s appearance was.

He had even found it unfortunate that noble ladies failed to appreciate it.

Rinzel was the first woman who truly recognized his looks.

And yet…

…Falling in love at first sight, focusing so much on appearance… isn’t she a bit too superficial?

Hernan’s bride could one day become empress.

Although neither Ishar nor Hernan had been named crown prince yet.

Still, a future empress being too shallow would be a problem.

Angel seemed to think similarly.

“Hernan. If that young lady only values outward appearances, I’m a bit worried.”

“……”

“What matters is what’s inside.”

Angel was concerned for her inexperienced son.

She feared he might be led astray by the wrong woman.

“I understand that.”

Hernan agreed, but continued,

“But what’s wrong with her liking my appearance?”

His gaze lowered.

“It’s the first time, after all.”

“……”

“She may be the first—and last—person to ever fall for me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, silence filled the room.

No one could say anything.

Because no one could deny what he said.